The Longhorn 100 identifies and celebrates the success of the 100 fastest growing Longhorn businesses in the world.
2025 Longhorn 100 Criteria
Companies must meet all four of the following criteria:
- The company must have been in continuous business for five years or more as of December 31, 2023.
- The company’s revenues must have been $250,000 or more in each of the calendar years from January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2023.
- The company must be Longhorn founded, Longhorn owned, or Longhorn led for the program time frame of January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2023.
- Longhorn founded means that a graduate of UT Austin (or a group of graduates from UT Austin) founded the company and is still employed as CEO, chairman, president, managing partner, or other C-Suite position.
- Longhorn owned means a graduate of UT Austin (or a group of graduates from UT Austin) must have owned 50% or more of the company for the time frame being measured.
- Longhorn led means a graduate of UT Austin served as CEO, chairman, president, managing partner, or other C-Suite position in the years being measured (January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2023). - The company and its Longhorn founders, owners, and leaders must act with high integrity and operate in a manner consistent with the values and image of UT Austin and the Texas Exes.
Revenue Verification
The Longhorn 100 rankings are calculated by Whitley Penn, an independent accounting firm. Whitley Penn will calculate each company’s compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in sales or revenue (net of returns).
To ensure the integrity and credibility of the ranked list, Whitley Penn confidentially manages all applicant financial data. This information will never be shared with a third party, including The University of Texas, Texas Exes or personnel. As such, no parties will enter into a non-disclosure agreement.
Companies must submit baseline financial data via the Longhorn 100 Revenue Verification Form.
Whitley Penn reserves the right to request further documentation to verify the revenues reported in the Longhorn 100 Revenue Verification Form.
How to Apply
- Complete the Longhorn 100 Application.
- Download and complete the Longhorn 100 Revenue Verification Form.
- Email the completed and signed Longhorn 100 Revenue Verification Form to longhorn100@whitleypenn.com.
All application materials (application AND Revenue Verification Form) must be received by 11:59 p.m., CT, December 6, 2024. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The Texas Exes reserves the following rights:
(1) To independently verify that nominees and honorees meet all criteria, (2) Reject any nominee for any reason, (3) Remove an honoree company from the Longhorn 100 list for any reason, and (4) Modify eligibility and requirements as needed without notification.
Key Dates
September 3, 2024
Nominations and applications open
December 6, 2024
Applications close, 11:59 p.m., CT
January 2025
Winners notified
May 2, 2025
Event gala with emcee Chet Garner, winners announced
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Longhorn 100 determined?
Companies who apply are ranked by percentage of compounded annual growth in sales or revenue (net of returns) from the years 2021, 2022, and 2023. All financial information is processed by Whitley Penn, the independent accounting firm for the Longhorn 100. Nominees/applicants send their financial information directly to Whitley Penn and they tabulate the results. After all confidential applications are processed, Whitley Penn provides the ranked list to the Texas Exes.
How are the results calculated?
Whitley Penn will calculate each company’s compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in sales or revenue (net of returns). After compiling the calculations, the companies will be listed by percentage of growth rate from the highest to the lowest. The 100 fastest growing companies will be named to the Longhorn 100 in ranked order. See the formula used.
What is Revenue?
- The total amount of income generated by the sale of goods and services related to the primary operations of the company.
- Net sales, or sales less returns and discounts for the prior three calendar or fiscal years ended on or before December 31, 2023.
- For professional service companies, use net revenue (gross revenue less refunds or credits).
- Businesses should provide revenue figures utilizing a consistent method of accounting for all three fiscal years (accrual or cash basis).
- Net revenue should not include expense reimbursements, PPP loan proceeds, provider relief funds, shuttered venue grants, employee retention credit proceeds, and any other proceeds unrelated to normal operations of the company.
- Other items which will not be considered as revenue include: investment income, interest, dividends, gains/losses on sale of assets, etc.
Publicly traded companies are eligible to apply. Company executive leadership must meet the requirements stated above for the period being measured and be listed on the company’s most recent SEC Form 10-K. This form must be submitted in addition to the Revenue Verification Form.
If the business reports revenues in foreign currencies, the applicant must submit revenues in the native currency (prior to any foreign exchange rate conversion).
What is CAGR?
CAGR is the year-over-year growth rate of a company’s revenue over a specified period of time.
Will my confidential financial information be released to the Texas Exes or the university?
Financial information will never be shared with The University of Texas, the Texas Exes, or any personnel. Financial information will not be published or made public.
How will the Longhorn 100 winners be honored?
The top 100 companies will be invited to the awards presentation, which will be held in May 2025 at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center. The awards event will include dinner, cocktails, music, afterparty and of course, the big reveal of the Longhorn 100. The top 100 companies will also be honored and highlighted in the Alcalde magazine, press releases, on Texas Exes and UT web properties, in Texas Exes/UT newsletters and social media. The Longhorn 100 will also receive an award.
What information will be published?
The Longhorn 100 list will be published and can include company name, logo, Longhorn owner or leader names, location, ranking, CAGR growth rate, and self-reported company information. Specific revenue and financial data reported to Whitley Penn will NOT be published.
Who are previous winners of this award?
Learn more about the 2023 Longhorn 100 and the 2024 Longhorn 100.
Can I nominate a company even if I’m not sure they qualify?
We encourage it! The Texas Exes will send the nominees an email and they can determine whether they qualify.
What happens when a company is nominated?
Texas Exes will send the nominees an email and they can determine if they qualify and apply. However, you should also let the company know you nominated them and encourage them to apply!
Are multiple nominations considered when determining the winners?
No.
Do I need to submit an application if I've been nominated?
Yes.
Do I need to submit my application and revenue verification form electronically?
Yes. Please complete the online Longhorn 100 Application and Revenue Verification Form electronically. It is critical that information on the Revenue Verification Form be typed and the correct signatures included.
Are there sponsor opportunities?
We offer a variety of opportunities. Visit our sponsor page for details.